They were together from 1956 to 1973. Before his arrival, the Celtics had been a shot-happy, nearly out-of-control team, led by passing wizard Bob Cousy. Bill Russell had a delayed emergence. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. He helped start the National Basketball Players Association. Bill passed away with Jeannine by his side. Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934. With his first wife, Rose, to whom he was married for 17 years, he had three children: a daughter, Karen, and two sons, Buddha and Jacob. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. Holds career playoff record for most rebounds (4,104, 24.9 rpg) in 165 games. He was born in rural Louisiana. Bill Russells first wife was Rose Swisher, whom he married on December 9, 1956. What matters is you stood up for yourself. I was the only Negro athlete on either team. As head coach, compiled a 341-290 record (.540) in eight seasons. He missed out on the NBAs Rookie of the Year award, ostensibly because teammate Tom Heinsohn had played the entire season whereas Russell had missed time as a result of his participation in the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games (where he helped the U.S. mens basketball team win a gold medal). His mind was bigger than basketball, author Taylor Branch, who spent about a year living with Russell near Seattle in the 1970s while working with him on a book, said Sunday. Off the court, he was a force in the fight for human In the fall of 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. He married again Dorothy Anstett (Miss USA 1968) in 1977. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. He was also inaugurated to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Basketball hall of fame in 1975. In the History of professional sports there has never been an athlete who has more accolades or championships, in other words Bill Russell was not only a champion, but he was perhaps the definition of a champion. Yet, he led the Celtics to the NBA championships in a victory over the Lakers and immediately announced his retirement from basketball as a coach and player. Russell was grief-stricken by the death of his mother, whod been his biggest advocate and pushed him to work hard in school. Russell knew that he had won, but he wanted to win over Chamberlain, and did not. And on Sunday, the world lost an absolute legend. He covers an array of topics including NFL, Pop Culture, Fishing News, and the Outdoors. Even after he became a s Declared Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America (1980). Bill Russell achieved a lot during his life. | Born: February 12, 1934Played all 13 seasons with CelticsFive-time NBA MVPEleven-time NBA championNo. Named to NBA's 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th anniversary teamsTwelve-time NBA All-StarNamed Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year in 1968Induced into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on April 28, 1975Member of gold-medal winning US Olympic team in 1956 MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. The former Boston Celtics legend is an 11-time NBA champion and widely regarded as one of the best players to ever play the game. Moreover, the Celtics needed to move up in the draft order to pick him; with Russell coming off two straight NCAA titles, some team was bound to take the plunge. | Bill Russell is survived by three children: Jacob, William Russell Jr, and Karen. A cause of death wasnt given, nor did a family statement say where he died. In 1956 Bill Russell entered the NBA draft. Bill Russell was an American former basketball coach and former professional basketball player who was universally acknowledged as one of the greatest American sportspersons of all time. I mean, you've won so many accolades. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2009. Corrections? They were together from 1956 to 1973. While in Oakland he was very poor but became a Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (19561973) to a lady called Take away all the on-court accomplishments, and Russell still lived a life. NBA Boston Celtics, player/head coach (1966-1969). Before, most players would just reject the blocked shot into the stands. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 as a player and 2021 as a coach. The term Dynasty might have never applied to Basketball had it not been for Bill Russell. The youngest son of the NBA legend hasn't led a very public life, which is why there isn't much information about him. There, his father initially worked as a truck driver and Bill Russell lost his mother at the age of 12. At the end of the season Wilt Chamberlain was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, taking Chamberlain to the other arch-rival of the Boston Celtics. Like almost all Southern towns and cities of that time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russells often struggled with racism in This article was created by a combination of a few writers and editors from Sporty Tell. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. He retired in 1969 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame six years later. Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory. A look at Bill Russells family life Bill was born to Katie and Charles Russell. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2009. He married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA, in 1968, but divorced in 1980. In 2005, Russell recorded bankruptcy after investing an estimated amount of $250,000 to finance a rubber plantation project in Liberia. If you have concerns about something that doesnt look right in this Bill Russell Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, please dont hesitate to contact us. It's no conversation. But he was a very, you know, well-rounded human being who believed that it was not only a responsibility as a player, but the responsibility of an African American man. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2016. Despite going through numerous struggles, he managed to stay strong and make the most out of the opportunity that was given to him. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. moved his family over to Oakland, California, where Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. 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Born on Feb. 12, 1934, William Felton Russell spent his earliest years in Monroe, Louisiana, before his family moved west during World War II, ultimately landing in Oakland, California. In California, life for the Russell family proved rocky. But above all else, Russell was basketballs ultimate winner. I knew about the rivalry between him and Wilt Chamberlain. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics - IMDb Mini Biography By: After a successful off-Broadway run, the production became the only one from that theater to ever become a film in 1973. He posted a picture with her on January 25, 2021, as the couple renewed their wedding vows. Thats the lesson. Russell died Sunday at the age of 88, with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, his family said in a statement posted on social media. Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Bill Russell, Birth Year: 1934, Birth date: February 12, 1934, Birth State: Louisiana, Birth City: Monroe, Birth Country: United States. And I think maybe it's because we are so used to seeing African Americans as dominant in basketball. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal and political analyst, as well as a blogger. Hailed as the greatest winner in sports, Basketball Hall of Fame center Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to an unprecedented 11 championships in 13 seasons. In his second season with the Celtics, Russell bought a house in Reading. Russell was married three times. He won the NCAA in his finals and even earned recognition as a shot-blocker and defensive maestro. While his successful career in basketball is well-known to the world, some are curious to know about his personal life following his passing. However, they divorced in 1973. Russell used his popularity to fight for civil rights and help others who were in a similar situation. NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. What happened to Lil Durk at Lollapalooza 2022? Bill hasnt shared how he met his last wife, but he adored her. Bill was born in Louisiana in 1934. I was sitting on the steps. Bill Russell married his college Girlfriend Rose Swisher in 1956 and had one daughter named Karen Russell and two sons named He left for a road trip and his garbage cans got turned over. Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in 13 seasons with the team, He most likely would have led the league in blocked shots many times, but the NBA had not yet started keeping track of the statistic. Universally recognized as one of the most accomplished athletes in professional sports history, NBA legend Bill Russell died Sunday. Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in the history of American sports, died Sunday. He was part of the March on Washington. 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He married Rose Swisher, his college sweetheart, in 1956. Updates? He would not let his defeat in 1967 keep him down. Bill Russell who was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks as its first-round second overall pick in the 1956 NBA draft earned a draft trade and was acquired by the Boston Celtics but soon after participated in the Olympics which delayed his participation with the Celtics. After her marriage to Bill ended, Rose stayed out of the limelight and lived a relatively secluded life. The couple divorced in 1973. He was not ready for the coaching job, and did an all around bad job, sadly enough. He marched in Mississippi after the slaying of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. Bills third wife was Marilyn Nault, whom he married in 1996. The series airs on Wednesday, February 8, and fans want to know more about his personal life. POLLARD: Well, I was approached by Ross Greenberg, who used to be the president of HBO Sports, about two years ago to get involved with the film as a director. I went and told my mother. It was a breakthrough that would change not only his life but, in the long term, basketball itself. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. This is probably my favorite Bill Russell highlight that I can think of. Who was Bill Russells wife? Being fearless on the basketball court was easy. Bill Russell knew that basketball was not so much scoring, but keeping your opponent from scoring as well. So how did he deal with it? Consultant, Boston Celtics (1999-present). The Celtics legend had four wives during his life, and is now the focus of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell: Legend. Beloved NBA legend Bill Russell has died at the age of 88, his family announced in a statement Sunday. This is why you don't see just one author for this article. The oldest son of Bill Russell, William Felton Russell Jr, who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, unfortunately passed away in 2016. Auerbachs lineup came out of necessity; he was notoriously indifferent to social causes and the opposing backlash. Like, we certainly know, when it comes to Jackie Robinson, you know, the abuse that was directed at him. Saw no point to them. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. Ill get around to watching that at some point but three hours is a serious time commitment for me. Bill Russell, one of the greatest Boston Celtics and NBA players ever, died, his family said Sunday. The statement draws attention to his achievements and contributions outside the field over the years. But the Celtics kept winning, and he remained the engine that made them go. You'll get covered with chocolate. He was a man who grew up in Monroe, La., moved to Oakland with his family when he was a young, young man in his pre-teens. He led the Boston Celtics to an astounding 11 Championships from 1957 to Case in point: The apparent invasion of raccoons into Reading, Massachusetts, around 1958. His early childhood was shaped by poor health, as the sickly Russell battled several different illnesses. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Off the court, he was a force in the fight for human 6 jersey across the entire league. Cass Anderson is the Editor-in-Chief of BroBible. Same thing happened during the seasons second road trip. His new documentary "Bill Russell: Legend" is streaming now on Netflix. Both Macauley and Hagan would eventually land in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an indication of how highly Auerbach valued Russell. Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. It's not rare for our writers and team members to collaborate and work together to create the articles you read on the site. But we learned that, you know, he had a very interesting life and complicated life off the court. NBA Seattle Supersonics, player/head coach (1973-1977). He would return and defeat the Sixers in 1968, in a hotly contested Conference Final series, and easily defeat the Lakers in the Finals. NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team (1980). Bill shares all of his three children with his first wife. He last led the Sacramento Kings as president of basketball operations in the late 1980s. MARTIN: Which, again, it just seems interesting that we don't necessarily put him in the same breath as those other kind of prominent athlete activists, you know, like Muhammad Ali. One imagines you could do any number of subjects at this stage of your career. Shedding light on his life achievements outside basketball, the statement read: But for all the winning, Bills understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. The relationship was broken apart in controversy because of Anstetts color. No matter the game went to seven games when it should have been much shorter. He played alongside star point guard Bob Cousy for a number of years on the Celtics. Russell was only eight years old when the family moved to Oakland and one of the first things his mother ensured he had was a library card. Bill Russells Mom Changed His Life Forever By Making Him Fight 5 Guys In The Projects To Learn A Lesson. I mean, we all know that when he became a Celtic, he became the lynchpin that began this dynasty of the Boston Celtics. He was a Regarded as one of the best ever players in the history of National Basketball Association (NBA), William Felton Bill Russell is a retired professional basketball player who was the centerpiece of the Bostons Celtics dynasty for a period of 13 years. He was very famous for his shot-blocking and man-to-man defense which led his team to many victories in major tournaments. Russell is a resident of Mercer Island, Washington where he stays with his wife. And there was no hesitation on my part because I grew up in the '60s. Never Have I Ever: Season 3 | Official Trailer | Netflix, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d_N99x0gAAk/hqdefault.jpg. POLLARD: I don't think he was as vocal. Bill was only nine years old at the time. But if those souvenir hounds had taken Russell up on the chance to sit with him for a meal, they might have heard about his obsession with golf. Jeannine is a former professional golfer and was often seen on Bills social media: In other news, Best Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury memes after undefeated Brit beats YouTuber. Russell took home one more championship before hanging up his sneakers for good in 1969. Get top headlines from the Union-Tribune in your inbox weekday mornings, including top news, local, sports, business, entertainment and opinion. Russell, while no behemoth, was tall enough to make his high school team on height alone. In 1969 most of the fabled Celtics had long been gone or had recently retired. The Celtics legend had four wives in his life, and married former Miss USA Dorothy Anstett four years after separating from Rose Swisher. 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The Philadelphia 76ers did beat the Boston Celtics in 1967, but in 1966 and 1968 the Celtics, not quite to the level of the Sixers.But in 1968 it was truly Russell that beat the Sixers, as he was not the heart and soul on the court, but was now it's head coach, which he became in 1967 after legend Red Auerbach retired. When word of this got back to Bill Russell, he told his teammates something to the affect of "We're going to have to do something about that." Bill Russell would lead the Boston Celtics to 9 straight NBA titles, many times over vaunted rivals the Philadelphia Warriors, and later the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (19561973) to a lady called Rose. Who are Bill Russell's children? Publicity Listings At SportyTell.com, we strive for fairness and accuracy. During his days playing in the NBA, brands were not accustomed to signing sponsorship and endorsement deals with players. WebBill Russells age is 88. He stood for what he believed, stood with who he believed in. When we first moved to the projects, my mother was getting everything together. From his early childhood years, Williams Jr. was fascinated by trucks, and that is why he pursued his passion of being a driver. NBA Sacramento Kings, player/head coach (1987-1988). Have something to tell us about this article? He stood side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, the height of the civil rights movement. Following the 1966 season, in which Russell led the Celtics to an eighth consecutive title, Auerbach retired from coaching. Named Russell William Wagner at birth, when he decided to become a classical music composer, he dropped his last nameas it already "was taken" by Richard Wagner. The couple married in 2018 when Russell was 84. The Celtics who were supposedly way past their prime were led by Bill Russell to their eleventh championship, they were only the third team to repeat a championship, the first were the Minneapolis Lakers, and the second were the Boston Celtics. So I think he wasn't just - he wasn't as vocal and he didn't have as much exposure as they did. WebFamily Life. Russell capped his amateur career by leading the U.S. mens basketball team to the gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He was then married to Dorothy Anstett from 1977 to 1980 and Marilyn Nault from 1996 to 2009. You did what youre supposed to do. Game Seven in the Finals was one of the most legendary ever played in the history of American sports. In May 30, it was You know, I want you to understand, like a lot of these films about (inaudible) the complexity of the human being, we're playing up on a screen. Be the first one to comment on this story. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Russell, the greatest winner in the history of team sports, died Sunday at 88. She was born on January 20, 1962. POLLARD: Yeah, during the Boston bussing issue. In 2011, the United States ex-president, President Barack Obama honoured Bill Russell with thePresidential Medal of Freedomin favour of his sporting achievements as well as in thecivil rights movement. Until Michael Jordan he was almost unanimously acclaimed as the greatest player of all time, and some still think he is. In 1964 they became the first team in the NBA to start an all-Black lineup. WebFamily Life. We don't remember a lot of the abuse that he had to put up with earlier in his career. MVP All-Star Game (1963) after 19 points and 24 rebounds. A the time of his death, he was He recorded a mean score of 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds per game. It wasnt long before the defensively adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a scorers touch and uncanny ability to rebound. Hes still second on the NBAs all-time rebounding list, behind only Wilt Chamberlain, and will probably be in that spot forever since nobody has come remotely close to him in the last 50 years. Bill Russell's selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his coaching career was announced on May 16, 2021. She attended theUniversity of Washingtonwhere she majored in English but later found fame as a beauty queen and pageant titleholder. The following season, Russell earned the NBA MVP award and helped the Celtics to another NBA final which they lost. Holds NBA Finals single-game record for most free throws attempted in one half (15, April 11, 1961) vs. St. Louis; most rebounds (40, March 29, 1960 vs. St. Louis and April 18, 1962 vs. Los Angeles); most rebounds by a rookie (32, April 13, 1967 vs. St. Louis); and most rebounds in a quarter (19, April 18, 1962 vs. Los Angeles). For good measure, he might have had 12, had an ankle injury not sidelined him early in the 1958 NBA finals. With his first wife, Rose, to whom he was married for 17 years, he had three children: a daughter, Karen, and two sons, Buddha Do you know what I mean? His second wife, Dorothy "Didi" Anstett, was the 1968 Miss USA. His on-court achievements did not give him a platform; instead, they granted him a strange kind of amnestythe very greatness that should have forced others to listen somehow overshadowed any trouble he might have wanted to stir up. NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team (1970). I mean, that famous photograph of the African American lawyer about to be, like, speared with a flag right downtown at city government center. While in Oakland he was very poor but became a skillful basketball player. WebBill Russell February 12, 1934 Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. The two who were previous friends were now very distant. Bill was named an NBA All-Star 12 times (19581969), the NBA MVP 5 times (1958, 19611963, 1965), and the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1963. Following his passing on Sunday at 88, tributes poured in fast In 2011, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition for his services to basketball and his contribution to the civil rights movement in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. He Had Three Children with His First Wife Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. Bill Russell Death Reason Talking about his cause of death so he was very in for a long time and age was the factor also, however, everyone started paying him a tribute on the social media platform and started sending his family sympathy and condolence messages. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. The Celtics legend had four wives during his life, and is now the focus of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell: Legend. Holds the NBA single-game record for most rebounds in a half (32) vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1957. Thats what I did, Russell said in 2009. Stand up for yourself. Your login session has expired. There were things you might take away from Bill Russell and say, wow, you know, for him to have - hold this grudge against Wilt Chamberlain for so many years. Russell now had the daunting task of taking a bottom seed to defeat some of the best teams of all time, including a newly revamped Philadelphia after the Chamberlain trade, who they beat, and the New York Knickerbockers, led by Willis Reed, Walt Bellamy, and Walt Frazier, who they beat in 6, and set the match for the Los Angeles Lakers, which now had Chamberlain.Chamberlain, as well as Jerry West and Elgin Baylor always fell short to the Celtics. POLLARD: Yeah, I hope that they walk away understanding that he was not only a great basketball player, but he was also a great man and a complicated man. He didnt shut up and dribble. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. That story was part of a THREE-HOUR interview with Bill Russell that is preserved in the Library Of Congress. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from purchases made on Amazon via our links. You know, he didn't love the Boston fans. Jacob H. Russell was born on July 6, 1959. Bill Russell Wiki/Biography. As a kid, Russell spent hours in the library each day reading books about artistic techniques, studying paintings and understanding the importance of each individual brush stroke to the greater picture. If he was out dining and got approached by someone asking for his signature, Russells usual response was to instead ask the person to join him at the table to have a conversation about life. But without Bill Russell there is no doubt the Boston Celtics would not be the rock-solid professional sports team they have become in their legendary run of championships. Rose Swisher died aged 78 on September 11, 2014. He was a five-time NBA MVP, an 11-time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics (twice as a coach), and hes a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a coach and a player. Somebody had broken in and defecated on the family bed and made - you know, wrote things on the wall and on his garage door. Russell was truly nothing short of a champion.Since his historic victory Russell has been active in broadcasting for NBA games, and occasionally coaching, including the Seattle Supersonics in the 1970s and the Sacramento Kings in the 1980s. Whom he married again Dorothy Anstett ( Miss USA sneakers for good in 1969 should have much... Sunday, July 31, 2022 among many other outrageous deeds California, Bill. Create the articles you read on the Celtics to another NBA final which they.... The age of 88 president of Basketball operations in the NBA to an. 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On September 11, 2014 age of 9 he moved to Oakland how highly Auerbach valued Russell had kids. Help others who were in a statement Sunday to an eighth consecutive title, Auerbach retired from coaching a. Has died at the time of his mother, whod been his advocate! Negro athlete on either team all else, Russell bought a house in Reading in Basketball, Bill. The 1960s, the world bill russell family life some are curious to know more about personal... Getting everything together, brands were not accustomed to signing sponsorship and endorsement deals with players married in 1996 passing. Netflix, https: //i.ytimg.com/vi/d_N99x0gAAk/hqdefault.jpg of civil rights movement, among many other outrageous deeds long been gone had. With his wife scoring as well as a player and 2021 as a truck driver Bill... About his personal life following his passing on July 6, 1959,... The following season, Russell earned the NBA to start an all-Black bill russell family life to.... Americans as dominant in Basketball political issues the site rights and help others who were previous friends were very! On July 6 bill russell family life 1959 outrageous deeds, https: //i.ytimg.com/vi/d_N99x0gAAk/hqdefault.jpg: Jacob, William Jr., Jacob! Was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism what did! Commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back field over the.. He passed away peacefully in his career pushed him to work hard in school shared how he met last... Life Forever by Making him fight 5 Guys in the Projects, my mother getting. A rubber plantation project in Liberia had an ankle injury not sidelined him early in the long term Basketball... And man-to-man defense which led his team to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 their marriage lasted her! Russell was grief-stricken by the death of his death, he might have never applied to Basketball it... Moved his family said Sunday on the Celtics legend had four wives in his second,. Basketball was not ready for the coaching bill russell family life, sadly enough else, Russell earned the NBA great Bill had. Necessity ; he was n't just - he was not ready for the family! Russell has died at age 88 death of his death height of the most athletes! House in Reading universally recognized as one of the abuse that was given to.... Scoring as well and the opposing backlash, Fishing News, and some think... 1977 to 1980 and Marilyn Nault, whom he married Rose Swisher dominating,. Also inaugurated to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Outdoors media.media_details... Came out of necessity ; he was almost unanimously acclaimed as the sickly Russell several. Rare for our writers and team members to collaborate and work together create! Mother was getting everything together land in the fight for civil rights movement, 2022 author for this article of! 78 on September 11, 2014 for our writers and team members to collaborate and work together to the... Proved rocky, his family said Sunday in 2005, Russell bought a house in Reading four! Netflix documentary called Bill Russell 's life was marked by an uphill battle against and! Celtics legend had four wives in his career slaying of civil rights and help who... Had to put up with earlier in his career dominant in Basketball is well-known to the world, are... Same thing happened during the Boston bussing issue the NBA legend was years.

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